Book lamp



June 5 1945 J. c'zol-lENv 2,377,538

BOOK LAMP Filed June 22, 1942 /3 26 5l /Z 26 Z9 24 /nre/y/of' 4 2g i 3222 JA C05 COHEN m54 i by www AWO/wey Patented June 5, 1945 UNITED STATES PATE NT OFFICE N BOOK LAMP Jacob Cohen. Los Angeles. Calif., now by judicial change of name Jack Victor Conway Application June 22, 1942, Serial No. 447,894

5 claims. (C1. 24u- 6.4)V

` This invention relates te pertab1e inuminating means and relates more particularly to a book` lamp for illuminating the pages of a book. A

general object ofthis invention is to provide a practicaL'effective and convenient book' lamp.`

Another object ofthe invention is` to provide a lamp that may be readily applied to or associated with a bookjor the like, and that is oper-` able to effectively illuminate the pages of the and free bodily movement of the` book, while effectively illuminating the pages or selected portions of the successive pages.

Another object of this invention is to provide a book lamp in which the `source of illumination may be adjusted or shifted in practically any direction to obtain the` required or preferred illumination `and to avoid undesirable glare from the pages. The illuminating means may be shifted back and forth across the top of the book, may be adjusted toward and away from the pages, may be bodily swung about an axis and its reflector maybe extended and retracted and directed as desired to obtain any required or preferred illumination of the individual pages or of the two adjacent open pages or parts thereof.

t Another object of this invention is to provide a book lamp that may be bodily shifted or adjusted to assume a position where the book may be opened or closed at will and where the book may be stacked with other books without inter` ference.

Another object of the invention is to provide -a device of the character described in which the switch means for the lamp is automatically controlled by moving the `reiiector between the retracted and extended positions. s

Another object of thisinvention is to provide a book lamp that contains or carries Vits own source of`electrical current and, therefore, does not require a .cord or wire. The illuminating device of the present invention embodies a battery or batteries so that it does not need a cord or wire but may embody aplug or socket so that the device may be connected with ahouse' light o ing source, or the like, if desired.

A further object of this invention is to provide a book lamp that is light inweight and compact and very easily applied to and removed from the book.

The variousobjects and features of my invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of my invention, throughout which description reference accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the device provided by this invention in the operative position on a book with the lower portion of the book broken away. Fig. 2 `isa top or plan viewA of the device on the book.` Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal detailed sectional view taken `as indicated by line 4 4' on Fig. l,

*and Fig. 5 `is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal detailed sectional View illustrating th switch means for controlling the lamp.

The portable illuminating meansof the present invention is suitable for use on various devices, for example, it may `be used on books, writing pads, folders, musical scores, etc. Accordingly, where I herein employ the term book it is to be understood that I mean to include similar objects such as catalogs, writing pads, folders, musical scores, etc. s

The lamp or illuminating means of the pres-l ent invention may be said to comprise, generally, a mounting means I adapted to be applied to a book B, or the like, and operable when desired to hold the book open, a shell or body I I carrying a battery or batteries I2 and a lamp for holding the book open vwith the pages P The mounting means I0` spread apart for use.` is characterized by its simplicity, comprising a mounting plate I6 adapted to be engaged behind the book B and a flange lII which extends along the upper edge of the plate I6 to engage over i the upper end of the book B; s The plate I6 may be a simple flatmember and may have a curved lower edge. I6 and is of substantial length so thatit may engage over the upper end of the book B at opposite sides of the book binding. Depending lugs or ears I8 are provided on the ange I1 and in the particular construction illustrated are engageable with the pages P to hold the pages' down or open. 'I'here may be an eariItBat each end'tof the flange I1 and the ears are spaced is made to the The `flange I1 is normal to the plate verse cross section to have the desired convex.`v

active surfaces. The ears I8 preferably have rounded lower edges and their lower ends may-"bei shaped to facilitate the withdrawaland insertion of the pages P. It will be seemhow' the.

individual pages P may be disengaged' from one ear I8 and entered under the'. othert ear: ISwas the reading or use of the book progresses.. It is to be understood that the flange I'I` and the' earsLlaS are formedy so: than the. device maygb'e readily`r moved: or: slidalong. thebook'- B to any selected-i position;. The plate; IG; they ange.- I-'I and the: ears I8.- may be a. single integral' unit and may be formedoff plastic,.sheet. meta-1 or the:1ike. u l

WhilefIi haveisho'wn l two". ears -f I8 rigid with f the flanged? iti -is-.to:be:- understood that there may bei onlst'one.. ea-r I6 and that the'. ear" ori ears; asv. the'. case may be; may..I` beseparately.- formed parts and may be.- flexible: and f shifvtable. to: read.-

Yserving as hoolrs` or anchors-.thanpreventfrearwardf displacement, and'- tipping of; -thedevice The invention. contemplates that the ears I8; orltheir equivalents, may be formed,4 and located to. `cooperatefwithI tifrevbinding-l 'or cover -off thebook-.instead ofthefpages ,thefcooperationwith t-he=book` cover. or: bindingserving. tof hold. or retain therdeviceI on thebook. In=any casefthe ears are such that thezlamp-or 'devicemayf be readily.- applied to. the. book adjusted along.. the book .anddetached .fromfthe book..

The. shell.' orbody.' II- carries.. theV battery I2.; the fglohe .or lamp `I Ce,- vthe-reflector. I and other parte..` Thefbody` II. is an. elongate.hollowiorA tubular. member ofsuitable. proportions and finish: The body II may resemble the body of a conventional .flashlight` and its outer. end` is-normally closed-by-a Athreaded-on cap 20.. 'Ii-he battery I2. is-SIidintO-the outer--endof the tubular or shell-like body II and its inward movement islimited. by` an. internal-bead.. 22of the body. A. spring.' 23- is. arranged under: compression. be.h tweenthe Vcap 201 and.l the outer end of.. the battery- I2.4 In accordancewiththe/usual. practice in devices.. of. this Lnature. one pole. of the. battery is.grounded` tothe body. I-If-lthrough the spring. 2.3... The.- othen pole. or Apost-.24 vof thebattery IIs-is exposed. at'. the- :inner-end of. thebattery.

The: forward orf innerrend Aof*A the Pbody.` .I I car'- riesa-. suitable socket-25. for.` receiving; the.. stem. 2-6oof. the lamp-I3.. The socket.l 2.5: is preferably inf electricah connection s with. .the bodyl ISI. and, therefore, jis.electrical1y connected. withy the groundedi pole ofl the:` battery.. laf... A. suitable I switch... means. isprovidedr to. electrically connect the other poleldpof the 'battery I2-with` the. ter.'- m'inal otrthe'. lamp -I-3to. complete: the circuit through theflamp. This.-switchs.means .may take various forms.1 The'.A switch Ameans .is operai'.ed :.by`

" inner end fcrreceiving a pronged plug of a light co'rd. The socket 33 has its terminals electrically connected with the body II and with the contact buttc'inVl Z'f'a't the terminal of the lamp I3. Where' a conventional light source is plugged into the plugt it? is'v usually necessary to interpose a suitable transformer between the plug and the sourcett'ostep down the voltage.

Thermeansc I4f-operates-.-.towrnount Ithe body.l I I on. the mounting. means I0. in. suoliV a Wayl that the body and. the parts'carriedfthereby. maybe adjustedl back.` and z forth zins the: directioni of the arrow. Zr, -in .andbut -intherdirection-.of the arrow Y, andr about: abentral. pivot as illustrated bythe arrow fall. in Fig.. 2. The means I 4f. includes a` pair-ch complementary links? 34-lshiftably and pivotally` connected withy they ilange: I1. The flange. IFI .is provided. with` spaced longitudinal slots 35 and pivot pins' on the inner ends-of the. links.. 34. slidarbl-yv andturnablyA engage in. the

slots.3'5`.. Thefpivot--ipins 36..may be inthe nature of. nivets or.v bolts. with. v nuts and; shiftably. and

pvotally-secure.-.thelinkstdthe .flange I-1. The outer. endscf. the. twolflinrkse 34 are. connected by a bolt or pin whichJ-.willterm.thecentraLpivot pinor. king. pin. 32E- AY strap or bracket. 38". is

rigidlytfxed; to the-nner:-portion of the body II4 at. oradjacent. its1under-i side. and.l extends' from the body.' to;- be connected'. or. coupled with.` the links. 3'4`.. As. best illustrated; in. Eigs.- 1.. and.Y 2 off.' the drawing.. the. single. central pivot` pin 31. may serveto connectthe. twoalinksr' as lwell as. to. conhectl the .body .bracket .3"8. withthe links; The nut' 39 tltireaded.A onithe. centrahpivot.. pin, 3:1 may be adjustedor. set to. maintainthe. desired frictionbetween ythe links 34'.' and they bracket 38 so. that'. the. partswill remain. in.- the adjusted positionsuntili.deliberately moved. but` may bev intentionally,- or.' deliberately adjusted withease.

It will be: seen. that. withthe'structurejust describedcthe=body. I.I maybe bodily movedback and. fort-h. toward'. the- Iface of.. the book.- inV the direction. indicated.. by the arrow Y. in Eig-.- .2.. During such bodily adjustment of the body I I the anchoringpivot pins-Szof thelinksr-34 moveback and forth. in. theirI slots- 35.. Inthis connection i t.is..to.be` observed that the.l slots .354 are of. suffi-` cientlengthto. allow` the-body `I-Ito be adjusted inwardly to an extreme.retractedfposition'where 1t-directly4 overlies the ange I-I and. therefore, is clear of" the face of. the=book^ and-:the .slots-.35` are sucent'ly. long to. allow.. the body to-be. moved outwardly.- a= substantial.- distance.. from; the. face of. the bookso. that. light.. from the lamp or. bulb I3vlniay reach allparts of thebooltface. Further-- more,..with:the bodyfmountings deseribedrabove it, willlbe .seenfthatthezbedy I-.I .and A-thepar-ts carried'thereby may bebodil-yfswungger. pivotedabout theaxis of. the.central.pivot pin. 3.1:- to move .in the direction indicated-by.- ther-arrow- X-in- Fig. 2f.. `In addition:v tothe.. two adjustments: already. described, the body I I and the parts carried thereby may. be .bodily movedi longitudinally. ofv` the. book in the direction indicated by the arrow Z. This is accomplished by merely moving the body so that the hinge pins 3S simultaneously move in their slots 35 in the same direction. This last named adjustment provides for the movement of the source of illumination to selected positions acros the face of the book.

The reflector I5 is provided to'concentrate the illumination of the bulb or lamp I3 and to direct the light in the manner desired. In accordance with the invention the reflector I5 is mounted on the body II for ajustment in various directions and for movement between fully retracted and fully extended positions. The forward end of the shell-like body II is open and the body is cut out or provided with a longitudinal lateral aperture 40. The aperture 40 extends from the open end of the body II to a point adjacent to or behind the lamp I3. The reflector I5 is an' elongate element designed and arranged to telescope over the body II. The inner end of the reector I5 is open to receive or engage over the body II, while the outer end of the reflector is closed. In practice, the closed outer end of the reflector I5 may be rounded or generally spherical. The elongate tube-like reflector I5 is provided with a longitudinally extending lateral aperture 42. The aperture d2 is preferably of substantial length and in practice may extend from the inner end of the reflector I5 toa point tioned to readily receive the body bracket 38..

Accordingly, the reector I5 may be shifted rear wardly over` the body II to a retracted position where its closed outer end is at or adjacent the end of the body I I. In alike manner the reflector I5 may be shifted outwardly on the body II to anextended position, such as shown in Figs. l and 2 of the drawing. The arrow C in Figs. 1 and 2 indicates the manner in which the reflector I5 may be adjusted longitudinally. In addition to this longitudinal adjustment of the reflector I5 the reflector may be rotated or turned on the body I I to direct the light in the manner desired. The arrow D indicates the manner in which the reflector I5 may be rotatably adjusted.` It is to be understood that the reflector I5 may be turned in either direction to bring its light passing aperture i2 to the desired position. The interior of thereilector I5 may be plated, painted, polished or otherwise finished to have the required light reflecting capabilities.

It will be observed that when the reflector I5 is in its fully retracted position on the body II that the over-all length of the body assembly is greatly reduced. In the drawing the device is shown applied to a rbook of small proportions but where the device is employed on larger books the over-all length of the body assembly with the reflector I5 in its retracted position will be less than the width of the book so that the device will not project beyond the edges of the closed book to interfere with the handling or stacking of the book.

The invention provides a switch means for controlling the light or lamp I3. The switch means is under the control of the `reilector I5 and is `switch closed to maintain the lamp .throughout such adjustmentsV i l such that the lamp I3 isdeenergized when'fthe' reflector I5 is in the retracted position and isenergized when the reflector is in any one of lits extended operative positions. The switch'ineans, best illustrated in Figg, includes a plunger '29 of insulation arranged within the shell or body Il in frontfof the battery I2;v I'The `plunger 29 is arranged for radialmovement andhasa reduced stem 30 at one end slidably guided in `an opening BI in the wall of the bodyLI I.` 'A spring 32` is arranged under con'ipressionA at the under side of the plunger 29 and urgesthe `plunger outwardly so that its stem 35 extendsinto and through the opening 3|. The outer endof` the stem 30' is rounded for engagement by the reflector` I5.` A shoulder 53 Yat the base of the stem 30 limits the outward movement `of* the plunger and stops the plunger inra position where the stem 30 has its rounded end projecting from the exterior' of the body II. i

The switch means further includes the buttonv or contact 2B mentioned above. The contact 2H` is secured in the carrier orfpartitionEI, which is;

formed of insulation, 'and th'eforward end of the` contact is engaged by the central terminal ofthe lamp stem 26. 'The rearend of `ithefcontact` 28 is exposed at the rear side ofthe-partition 21 and is in spaced `opposing relatiorrto the terminal 24 of the battery I2. 4The switchiplungersZiS passes betweenthe terminal 24an`d contact 28 in spaced relation thereto and icarriescontactimeans for electrically connecting theterminal and contact 28. The plunger 29 carries abus or`con`nector having a contact 5I at one'end for engaging the battery terminal V24 and having acontact 52` at the other end for engaging the lamp `contact 28.

The contact 5I is preferably-shaped'to constitute a spring contact which remains in iirm" engage-` ment with the battery terminal 24 atV all times. The contact52 is movable into and out of engage-.- ment with the contact 28 `withmoveme'nt-of the plunger 29. The switch means is locatedso that the stem 301s engaged anddepressed-by the reflector I5 when the rellectoris retracted and the stern is freed to again project from the bodyy II when the reflector is movedto the operative or extended position foruse.` f i" When the reflector I5 is retractedthe engagement of :the reilector with the stem moves the plunger` 29 to a position wherethe contact 52 is out of engagement with the contact 28... iWhen the reflector I5 is movedto an `extended position it moves beyond the fcontactstem` 30 and the spring 32 moves theplunger 29` to the position wherethe contact 52 engages the contact 28 to `complete the circuit throughl the lamp I3.

It is to be understood that the parts may be related so that the reflector I5 may be adjusted back and forth to a considerable extent and may be turned to adjust the light as desired and yet hold the I3 energized It is believed that the utility and practicabilit of the book lamp provided by the present invention will be readily understood from the foregoing detailed description. To applythe lamp to the book it is merely necessary to engage the plate I5 against the back of the book and to engage the ears I8 withthe open face of the book. In this'connection it is to be understood that the device may be shifted along the book to any selected position. The body I I may be grasped and shifted in the direction of the arrow Z to the selected position and pulled out or pushed back to bring it to the selected position in front of the booke. body-.f IzIfm-ay be; turned onzfthe; pivot: pii:r...3'r asf-required Thesevarious adjustments allow the-.usento-bring thebodyiand thefffassociated parts tolanyfselectedpositions@and. theiuser.: may positiong'the lamp: I;3.. tof.-thefbestf advantage.= "The refleetorflf may,bezextended'fory adjustedl longitudinally and; adjusted.. rotatively tofsbring itsflightpassingfaperture 42'. to the. selectedposition.. The: multiple adjustments lof the body Irl `and of the; reflector.7 l5 assure the positioning offthe lamp: I rtoethefbest advantage. and

. thedirectingfofzthe iightas'afound most'4 desirable.

The.: parts; may.'V badjusted: to'. completely lovercome any-glare andtoziadequately illuminate the entire: pagesBforr anyselectedxparts of :theapages using thebook a; page Pfmay be readily disengaged fi'omumdersits ear: I 8. andzturnedz and thenengagednnderthe other AearfIEI.- This turningfof:theapagesil-does'xnot;necessitate Vremoval or the disturbing of the lamp in any way. Thelamp orrdeyicemayibe.:easilwdisengagedlfrom .theibook when: no:` longer requiredi. The: device?.y is' very compact andi" readilyt'adaptable-:to .andiy removable from?booksrarrditherlike' of`various kinds, sizes; etc..

Having:describedrorrlyiaatypical preferred form and` applicatiorreomyinvention, .Ido'fnotrwislrto be limited; restricted' to2 the specific details herein' setz fortln. blitwi'sli.V to reserve tofmyself any-fvariationsaor."modioationszthatf mayf appeary to: thoserskillediinz-theeartrorffall Withinth'ezscope ofithe-iollowinge'ol'ams Having-descrihedrmy:invention; Ii claim-1 l", .Mea-ns: for: illuminating a. book-r includinga plateparttiadaptedto'be engaged behind thebook, a: flange; on thelplate parti for' engaging..A on the' upper edge-.of theebook: andhavng longitudinally spacejdl'slotsgextending. parallel withr the; upper edge'. off.' the?, book; means on the iiangef` for engagingthe pages-.,offthe: `boolean opposite Vsides-of the bindingi tor holdthe'-y boolc' open, theA flange andi said: means?.being-fsiniftablev asz a unitY along. the upper` edge-017: thecbook; a: body; a: lamp. carried bythe body;..a pairfof'links.:having ltheir outer ends: pivotally connected together.;l pins carried aanwas therefrom in' convergingzrelation andxto, vbe-,bodily shiftablea longitudinally of.. the. flange-e includ.- ing; longitudinally spaced. andi disposed; slots; in' the l flange.v andypinst on'. the; links.` slidably.V held.

in. the siots',.means1 for pivotally connecting: the.

forward endsi of. the links, .means on the', body; engaged on the last named?l means supporting the bodyl for: pivotal. movement, and a; reector for the. lamp sl'iiitable.v along't'he body.

Af bookalampf.l comprising mounting' means adapted to be applied' tothe: upper'.v edge' of av book toy extendlongitudinally thereof, ani elongate body; an electric battery in thebody; alamp.

stationary with the body at one end thereofv to` be energized by current'from thezbattery, means for supporting the-body. on the mounting means for bodily movement therea'longf and-for bodily` movement 'toward andgawaysfrom' the `face of the book; a reflector for the lampv slidably'mountedk on said end of the vbodyto be shiftable longitudinallyof` the body, and switchmeans for'controlling the lamp y operated by longitudinal movementof the-reflector on the body.

4. A book lamp comprising mounting means adapted 'to be'appliedto the upper edge of arbook, an elongate' body, :an-.electric battery in the-body, a lamp stationarywith the body vat one end thereof to be'energized by current from the battery, means for supporting the body on the mounting means for movement'y with respect tothe' book about an axis substantially parallel with the-face ofthe-book and transverse of the bodyLa.` reflecby the-innerl endsof the ilinksf and' shiftably. -cartox hold fthe.A book: openg. the-said memben being shifta-ble along.` thefupper edge-f of the; book; a:

body,r alamp carriedibyfthefzbodna pair: of links,

means for pivotally. andlishiftably'securing; both:

ofi tirreylinks. to.- the ange.- to:` project forwardly tor for the lamp slidaloly mounted on said end of the'body to be shiftable longitudinally ofthe body between retracted and extended positions and turnable on the body, and' switch meansl for the lamp controlled by movement of therefiector longitudinallyrelative to the-body to deenergizey the lamp When the reflector isretractedrelative to the body andl to energizev the lamp when the reflector isl extended relative to the body.

5. vA- book lamp comprising mounting means otal movement about an axis extending substantially parallel with theface vof the book, an elongate. reflector for thelamp shiftable longitudinally on the body between, retracted and ex.- tended.. positions and turnable on the.` body and having a. side opening. partially closed bythe body, and switch means for the lamp `controlled, by the reflector to d'eenergize the lamp when theA reflector is retracted. and to energize the. lamp. when thereiiector is extended, theswitch means including a control` part engaged bythe shiftable reflector. 

